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The author makes valid statements about contemporary music formats and greatest hits formats.
First, if you think about contemporary formats over the decades, one could describe them as CHR of their day. Top 40 radio formats of yore on 2UE, 2SM and 2UW were the CHR of their day. Particular tunes were in high rotation. The time window for playing past hits may have been limited to a decade.
SImilarly, the CHR formats of today will play only hits within a few years of their release. However, today's CHR is more than the rock and roll genre. These formats may consist of rock, dance, easy listening. Even with the diversity of genres, CHR may well consist of 'hits' released within the last few years. To illustrate, if we think of 2UW, MIX106.5 (callsign 2UFM) and KIIS106.5 (callsign 2UFM), apart from the time 2UW was momentarily a 'classic hits' format, the station (2UW, Mix and KIIS) was CHR: that is anything beyond a few years was 'discarded'. The same could be said about WS-FM, CHR with little 'classic hits'.
The artists on CHR may well be new or 'old' where the 'old' artist can perform new contemporary hits.
Even when there are new artists coming into the CHR, the formats don't allow for other genres. For example I have an album of music by the artists Emma Pask and Tom Burlinson accompanied by a big band, but don't hear that on mainstream radio. The same could be said about Josh Groban, Mark Vincent even Robbie Williams. It is ironic that these artists were given airtime on a spoken word station such as 2GB..
Second, when it comes to 'classic hits' "...their music universe is full of great timeless songs with excellent musicianship, discarding those one-off hits..." while hits in their own right. Unfortunately, some stations regards certain tunes and play them in high rotation.
There is nothing wrong with these artists and songs, I like them. But these narrow list of songs are not their only 'hits' Give these songs a rest and not play in high rotation.
* Bob Seeger, "Old Time Rock N' Roll"
* Creedence, "Proud Mary", why not play "Who'll Stop The Rain" or "Lodi" to name a few.
* John Cougar and variations to his name, "Cherry Bomb". It is not the only song from the album "The Lonesome Jubilee". Why not play "Paper in Fire"
* Phil Collins, "Sussudio", . Why not play "Two Hearts", or other songs at https://www.ilikeyouroldstuff.com/news/phil-collins-biggest-hits-in-australia
* James Blunt, "Beautiful" beautiful lyrics at the beginning, but the annoying repetition of "....you're beautiful..." with a C, A-min, F and G or equivalently transposed chords. Replace with Christine Aguillera's "Beautiful" - it is beautiful music.
Then you have to consider that just because the song is a 'classic hit' may be new to someone else of a similar demographic. I strongly doubt that people will remember all the hits of the listener's memory. Thus a 'classic hit' may well a new song.
Examples of hits with no airplay to name a few:
* Al Kooper and Stephen Stills, "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry"
* Reparata, "Captain Of Your Ship"
* UK Beat, aka The Beat aka The English Beat, "Can't Get Used To Losing You"
* The Isley Brothers, "Behind A Painted Smile"
* The Delfonics, "Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide From Love)"
* Liv Maessen, "Snowbird", "Knock Knock, Who's There"
* Jeff St. John, "Teach Me How To Fly"
* Max Merritt with or without The Meteors, "Slipping Away", "Dirty Work", "Proud Mary", "Hush" (instrumental).
* The Strangers, "Mr President"
* Charles and Eddie, "Would I Lie To You"
* Karen Ramirez, "Looking For Love"
* David Guetta and Rihanna, "Who's That Chick"
These songs regardless of one's demographic may well be new to them.
Then even if they even if the songs were not hits, they sound good.
Thus the author is correct that "...Music Directors will need to be open to rediscovering old music...."
At the same, as I have mentioned before, there is a plethora of "classic hits/golden oldies/hits-and-memories" type stations.
By music directors rediscovering old music, may add variety to the "classic hits formats".
Furthermore, what has been missing from airplay are familiar songs from movie musicals. These songs may provide a sing-along break from the rest of the playlist. Even short classical pieces of four minutes from composers such Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven and Strauss to name a few would blend well with other music provided the music directors are not tone deaf.
A final note, my music tastes are neither CHR nor 'classic hits' nor 'classical music' nor jazz nor 'elevator music' (as the old 2CH). I have my own 'mix' of many genres on mp3 which are not satisfied by listening to a particular station. It's a variety of musicianship, rhythms and melodies.
It is rare for me to listen to music radio.
Thank you,
Anthony of critical Belfield
For me, I rarely listen to music radio since no station really satisfies my listening habits.